Iloilo’s Most Wanted Man Arrested in Lambunao

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The most wanted person in Iloilo province was arrested late morning of April 21 in Lambunao, Iloilo.

The suspect, alias Roem, 35, a resident of Barangay Pasig, Lambunao, was arrested at a friend’s house in Barangay Poblacion Ilawod.

A tracker team from the Lambunao Municipal Police Station arrested him by virtue of a warrant for robbery with homicide, docketed under Criminal Case No. 23-1876.

Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court Branch 76 in Janiuay, Iloilo, issued the warrant on Oct. 17, 2023.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Roem’s co-accused was previously arrested on Aug. 28, 2024, in Barangay San Vicente, Culasi, Antique.

The case stemmed from a robbery that occurred on the afternoon of Sept. 15, 2022, along the national highway in Barangay Pasig, about seven kilometers from the Lambunao town proper.

The incident resulted in the death of delivery van driver Jerry Faldas, who worked for Japan Tobacco Inc., a cigarette distribution company based in Iloilo City.

Faldas, a resident of Barangay Port San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper, died instantly from gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

Two co-workers were also injured after the gunmen fired at them while fleeing the scene.

Elbert Mardoquio, 37, of Barangay Inaladan, Cabatuan, Iloilo, was shot in the back.

Jeriel Nalangan, 35, of Barangay Libot, Calinog, Iloilo, sustained gunshot wounds to the arm and shoulder and a graze wound on the head.

The three victims had come from Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, and were in an uphill portion of Barangay Pasig at around 3:45 p.m. when they were ambushed.

The suspects allegedly hid in a grove along the roadside and rushed toward the van as it approached.

According to the survivors, the assailants fired without warning.

Faldas was hit by the initial shots, causing the vehicle to stop.

Mardoquio and Nalangan immediately got out and attempted to flee.

The suspects shot at them as they ran, but the bullets did not hit any vital areas.

The assailants took around PHP591,000 in cash collections and the victims’ bags containing personal belongings.

They fled on foot toward Barangay Banban, Lambunao.

Reports said the suspects went into hiding after the incident.

They reportedly had no prior criminal records in Lambunao or nearby towns.